| Title: The Pleasures of BDSM | |
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Date Posted：25/02/2019 19:50Copy HTML The Pleasures of BDSM In videos on "Sub-drop", and more recently "Domme-drop" [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC35BCqWngcstQR8mRJZeeZA], Mistress Angelica has touched on those real feelings that can come to the surface during, and after, BDSM play. Inherently there is no difference between the two; if you engage in BDSM, whether you do it for the pain or not, you do it for the pleasure, otherwise you wouldn`t keep doing it, hence my title ! We often hear about a surge of Adrenaline (Epinephrine), a rush of Endorphins, to explain the "highs" experienced during play; these may or may not be part of the explanation, but undoubtedly the overall picture is far more complicated, more subtle, and quite variable between individuals. So, I`m going to give a run down on the likely basis of pleasure, in BDSM play, or indeed in any pleasurable event. Will you believe what I say here? Well, all I`m going to admit to, is that I`m fully at home with the Biochemistry, happy with the genetics, struggling a little with brain structure, and somewhat dubious of the Psychology. I can`t explain everything, and I`ll have to make assumption at times, otherwise this will become a manuscript, but I will try to keep it as simple as I can. "Life in the human body is designed to be a blissful experience. Our evolutionary biology insures that everything necessary for our survival makes us feel good. All animals seek pleasure and avoid pain. Therefore, our brain has a wellspring of self-produced neurochemicals that turn the pursuits and struggles of life into pleasure and make us feel happy when we achieve them. This biological design is generous, but lays dormant in many." I`m going to look at the three areas that ensure that we are emotive beings, who seek pleasure over pain; those are Genetics, our Brain Structure, and our army of hormones and neurotransmitters (stay with me, please!). GENETICS Our genes, or more specifically the expression of our genes, are what we are. There are at least 31 genes, and probably far more, that have been linked with "happiness, pleasure, mood, positive emotions", but that have been mostly studied because of their implications in negative health, such as addiction and depression. Two particular genes have been studied in a "happiness" context, one regulating the synthesis of serotonin, the other controlling the breakdown of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline; more about these hormones/neurotransmitters later. The bottom line here is that we are all born with the same genes, but that their degree of expression can vary between individuals; the two genes mentioned above both exist in "high" and "low" activity forms. Genes rarely act in isolation, more often they work together in "clusters", together with other genes coding for related products, consequently the variation in expression of their products can be further modified. Estimates, and I don`t know how these were arrived at, suggest up to 50% of our "happiness propensity" may be genetic. Some individuals will be extreme pleasure seekers, most will seek pleasure through a myriad of routes, while others will struggle with negativity. THE BRAIN We are not unique, but are highly developed, in terms of the emotions we feel, express, and read in others; this is reflected in the structure and complexity of certain areas of our brain. The emotional circuitry of the brain seems to involve primarily structures in at least 5 different areas, all of which are linked and work together, and in part constitute the "Pleasure / Reward" Centre. The prefrontal cortex of the brain has been particularly studied since it shows asymmetric activation in relation to positive or negative emotions; individuals expressing a positive emotion show higher levels of left over right activation, and vice versa for negative emotions. Nerve transmission is initiated by neurotransmitters, and the two most important ones in the brain, in the context of "emotion", are Dopamine and Serotonin. Positive mood is associated with, but not necessarily caused by, increased levels of Dopamine; satisfaction, happiness and optimism are associated with elevated levels of serotonin (low levels with depression). So, we are all "wired" differently to some extent, and we are also vulnerable to the effects of external and internal factors; physical health, diet, exercise, drug use, addiction, etc., can all upset that "balance point" which the brain is trying to maintain. So, like our genetics, there is variation here (much more so), but unlike our genetics our emotional responses can be trained, temporarily changed/altered, for the good or bad; further, one persons response to a situation can be very different to another. Our genetic makeup sets our boundaries to how much we seek pleasure, likewise but to a lesser extent our brain circuitry tends to be hard wired, but can be altered. It is our hormones/neurotransmitters that gauge our response to emotional and pleasurable events, that relay that information back to the brain, that can give us that "high", and conversely that "drop". HORMONES & NEUROTRANSMITTERS Before I talk about individual hormones/neurotransmitters, it is important to note that these molecules each have a specific half-life, that is the time it takes for half of the molecules to be broken down, and therefore for their effect to be halved. Here are some examples to refer to: Adrenaline - 2-3 minutes; beta-endorphin - 93 minutes in peripheral tissues; serotonin - up to 48 hours in peripheral tissues, minutes in the brain; cortisol - 66 minutes in peripheral tissues; endocannabinoids - minutes. Another really important concept to grasp is that hormones/neurotransmitters do not act alone. Most often, one or more will elicit a response A, which will be balanced with one or more eliciting an opposite response B. In other words, they act together to see-saw about a balance point. Feelings of pleasure and positive emotion will be caused by an imbalance in one direction, whereas feelings of depression and negative emotion will be caused by an imbalance in the opposite direction. It`s also worth pointing out that there are hundreds of different such molecules in the body, most awaiting further research! So, let`s get a few of the "old favourites" out of the way first. Adrenaline (Epinephrine): the "fight or flight" hormone, creates an exhilarating surge in energy, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. An "adrenaline rush" is typically seen in times of stress and fear; you can create a "rush" by taking short rapid breathes and contracting muscles. Made in the adrenal glands, top of each kidney, which also produce cortisol. Cortisol: also produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol has been shown as a consistent marker for depression. Endorphins: "the pain-killing molecule", "self-produced morphine" resembling opiates in their structure, with strong analgesic properties. Produced during strenuous exercise, sexual intercourse and orgasm, acupuncture, music, meditation, eating chocolate, and more ! Originally linked (wrongly) to "Runners high", but more so to the "feeling no pain" of intense aerobic exercise, as well as to high intensity anaerobic exercise. Endocannabinoids: "the bliss molecule", self-produced cannabis that cover a wide range of structural types. The endogenous cannabinoid system—named from the plant that led to its discovery—is one of the most important physiologic systems involved in establishing and maintaining human health. Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. With its complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all of the body’s organs, the endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this system, we begin to see a mechanism that could connect brain activity and states of physical health and disease. Dopamine: "the reward molecule", responsible for reward-driven behaviour and pleasure seeking. Every type of reward seeking behaviour that has been studied increases the dopamine levels in the brain. If you need a dopamine hit, set a goal and achieve it ! Addictive drugs, such as cocaine, act directly on the dopamine system. Oxytocin: "the bonding molecule", causes a wide spectrum of behavioural and physiological effects mediated through receptors in the brain, such as maternal, sexual and social behaviours. Oxytocin facilitates relationships with others and is associated with positive social behaviour. GABA: "the anti-anxiety molecule", has an inhibitory effect on neural transmission and creates a sense of calmness. You can increase GABA naturally by practising yoga and meditation. Serotonin: "the confidence molecule", has so many roles in the body ! The link between higher serotonin and a lack of rejection sensitivity allows people to put themselves in situations that will bolster self-esteem. The main target for popular anti-depressants, e.g. Prozac, that acts to maintain serotonin levels for longer. Any the wiser? No, nor am I. Personally I`d go for a dose of GABA and a cocktail of Endocannabinoids, but if I was expecting a judicial caning I`d be relying on producing a good amount of adrenaline and endorphins, whereas an increase in serotonin would be useful for a cross-dresser -:). In Conclusion Is there a conclusion? We can make some general assumptions, but unfortunately nothing specific. Your genetics are who you are, with the majority of us being seekers of "moderate" pleasure, but how we achieve that pleasure can take many different routes. The brain coordinates your reactions to emotions, initiating changes in the body, receiving feedback both from the body and external stimuli. The emotional circuitry of the brain may be essentially hard-wired, but it can be changed/trained, particularly at an early stage; for example, an early age experience of a particular pleasure may well increase the likelihood that an individual will have a propensity for a similar pleasure scenario in later life. We all produce and react to the same hormones/neurotransmitters, but there is significant variation in the levels and balances of these chemicals; we all feel positive or negative at some time, but some are far more inclined to be one or the other. These "moods" can be changed/controlled, through external stimuli, suggestion, meditation, etc. BDSM play is not unique in the emotions that it invokes, but it is possibly unique in the huge range of emotions that can be set in motion. From worry, excitement, anticipation, positive planning, to social interaction, intimacy, sexual arousal, and a whole cacophony of sense stimuli. So the list goes on, you could probably add many more ! All responses to this flood of stimuli are cerebral; the brain assesses the situation, produces hormones/neurotransmitters, that activate the emotional circuits, that in turn signal the release of similar or different hormones/neurotransmitters in the body (to increase heart rate, dilate blood vessels, etc. etc.), that ultimately feedback to the brain. Your emotional set, "high" or "low", positive or negative, is in your head. A severe caning session will undoubtedly increase the levels of endorphins, and adrenaline, in the body, but this is not what gives you a "high"; it is the hormone/neurotransmitter levels/types generated in the brain that do this. For example, endorphins produced in the body, e.g. through exercise/pain, do not pass into the brain ! Since it is presently impossible to get an accurate picture of these chemical fluctuations in the brain, the main players can only be guessed at; Dopamine is clearly a major player, but in terms of of their share variety and types, the Endocannabinoids are the likely conductor of this orchestra. "Sub-Space", that emotional set of the brain, achieved easily for some, more challenging for others, but how is it met? On a personal note, I can achieve sub-space with relative ease, a feeling of calm and focus, for other s a specific physical stimulus might be the trigger. I`ve always found sub-space to be a very delicate and transient state, it`s duration very dependent on the actions of external stimuli, the Domme! I can see no real difference in "Domme-space". So, what about "Sub-drop" and "Domme-drop"? Well, the obvious answer, is that if you`ve been enjoying a pleasurable experience, then you are not going to want it to stop! A more scientific explanation is that at the end of play, your "pleasure chemicals" will drop, to the extent that the balance of positive-negative chemicals will transiently "undershoot", before being restored to your natural balance point. I mentioned earlier that the half-life of these chemicals is short, typically minutes, so whereas the "drop" would occur quickly, I wouldn`t expect it to last long. The timing also depends upon when you feel the play has finished; at the end of play, or at the point you actually leave the premises? I remember discussions on a previous forum regarding "kinksters" vs "submissives", those who can turn-off readily between sessions vs those who can`t. Both have the emotional circuitry to react to and enjoy their play, and both will retain that circuitry, but the kinkster can close that circuit down, whilst the submissive maintains an "open" state to those circuits, through continued thought, communication, relationship to the Domme. My theory, but I could get more controversial ! A Domme who experiences a "Domme-high" and/or a "Domme-drop", is by definition a "true-Domme". Your emotions describe you. Perhaps I shouldn`t say that (oops, I have!). Well done if you`ve got this far. As explanations go it`s far from perfect, but it`s knocking on the right door. The problem is that behind that door there are just so many damn things going on ! Peace & Happiness to all -:) |
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